Sunny Leone signs 3 film deal with Alumbra Entertainment

Sunny Leone, who created a lot of stir when she debuted in Jism 2 earlier this year, has signed a 3 film deal with Alumbra Entertainment (the makers behind the recently released Bhoot Returns). Sunny will film the first among the films in the second quarter of 2013 and the rest of them will be shot later one after the other and released after the release of Sunny's second film Ragini MMS 2. The subjects are being finalised between Alumbra Entertainment and the actress at the moment.

A spokesperson for Alumbra confirmed the development, "Sunny will do her third, fourth and fifth film after Jism 2 and Ragini MMS with us. We will share details at the opportune moment." 

Alumbra Entertainment is producing a series of films which started with the release of Bhoot Returns last week followed by Ab Tak Chhappan 2 in November, Warning by Anubhav Sinha in December, and RGV's film on the 26/11 attacks which will be releasing on Republic Day in 2013. Alumbra Entertainment also hasSingh Saab The Great directed by Anil Sharma which is expected to go on the floors by the end of the year.

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MAMI ties up with A.A. Khan to fight piracy

This year's 14th Mumbai Film Festival which is being organized by the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) is surely to make its presence felt and how! This year, they have established a key milestone in the battle against film piracy by joining forces with former Deputy Inspector General of Police and Mumbai-ATS Chief A. A. Khan and engaging the services of A.A. Khan and Associates, an organization widely considered to be a pioneer in the anti-movie piracy operations in the country. The festival that stands committed to combat 'Piracy at Source' with the anti-piracy mechanism adopted at its forthcoming edition and endeavors to build solidarity between India and the international cinematic fraternity.

Speaking on the occasion, Aftab Ahmed Khan (CEO, AA Khan & Associates & Ex. Inspector General & Founder ATS) said, "We are proud to partner with MAMI for the prestigious 14th Mumbai Film Festival and helping them fight the menace of piracy. Over the past decade, piracy in all forms has become quite rampant across the globe and it is important that people, organizations, policy makers as well as keepers of the law work together to eradicate this problem that affects the social and economical ethos of our country and the world."

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Prakash Jha gets past the Censor Board

Beleaguered by constant censorial trouble over the songs of his new film Chakravyuha, Prakash Jha, earlier this week approached the honorable Tribunal in New Delhi requesting them to overturn the decision taken by the Censor Board Of Film Certification (CBFC) to ban the remix version of the controversial 'Mehngaai' song. In a historic judgement, the Tribunal on Tuesday, overturned the CBFC's decision to ban the remix version of the 'Mehngaai' song which apparently takes snide digs at the 'raider cop' Vasant Dhoble by showing a group of youngsters in the fun mode being interrupted by lawmakers.

The CBFC, in all its wisdom, decided to ban the music video apparently arguing that it was casting aspersions on individuals. 

Jha fought back by taking the ban to the Tribunal and getting it revoked. Significantly, the song had been banned by both the bodies of the CBFC, the Examining Committee (EC) and the Revising Committee (RC).

By moving to an arbitrating agency outside the Censor Board, Jha has effectually thumbed his nose at the Censor Board, not just questioning its authority over the content of a film, but also sending a clear signal in the Mumbai film industry that a film's fate needn't always be clinched at the CBFC. 

Jubilantly Jha said, "I approached the Tribunal after the remix of my song was rejected first by the EC and then the RC at the CBFC. I couldn't see the logic of it, since earlier the same song had been passed by the Censor Board. How can the remix version of an approved song be banned? I approached the Tribunal which heard my case on Tuesday and they kindly revoked the ban." 

Prakash says he isn't feeling vindicated by the triumph. 

"I am exhausted by the constant tug of war with the Censor Board. Almost every film of mine from the time I made Damul in 1985 has faced censor trouble. We need clearer policies. At the moment, there are way too many contradictions," says Jha. 

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Bollywood News SRK's make-up man passes away

Ravi Indulkar (popularly known Ravi Dada) who worked as the make-up man of Shah Rukh Khan for more than a decade, passed away yesterday afternoon at Kokilaben Hospital, Mumbai. The reason is being cited as lung failure.

Shah Rukh Khan, who paid his condolences to late Ravi's family, attended the funeral which took place at the Amboli Crematorium. 

While Ravi's last film with SRK was Jab Tak Hai Jaan, his son did SRK's make up make-up for a special episode of KBC on Tuesday.

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Alia, Sidharth, Varun have their next films lined up

Even before their film releases, the Student Of The Year trio has moved on to their next projects. It is reliably learnt that producer Karan Johar has offered all three of his protegees further Dharma films regardless of the outcome of their debut film.

However, Varun Dhawan would have to take a rain-check on that second film for Dharma. He is now committed to do a film with his father David Dhawan next. It is reliably learnt that David would now whisk away his younger-born for a home-production that his elder son Rohit (of Desi Boyz) would direct.

Says David, "I've a director and a leading man at home now. So I am very keen to start my own home banner. But I had to wait. Neither of my sons wanted to make his debut in a home production. They wanted to prove themselves outside the comfort zone and my wife and I totally endorsed their plans."

Now that both his sons are out with their first efforts, David is keen to start a home banner. Says the indefatigable entertainer, "All three of us are definitely doing something together."

A source informs, "Karan has launched newcomers for the first time. And he's very keen to see their careers through to success. Unlike Ram Gopal Varma who says he uses new talent for as long as it suits him, Karan Johar sees all three debutants as his responsibility."

On Thursday evening, all the three debut-making leads actors from Student Of The Year had their own individual screenings for their family and friends. While Varun and Alia had their screenings in Mumbai, Sidharth who is a Delhi boy flew to his home town to show his film to his near and dear ones.

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